User terminal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A user terminal apparatus is provided. The user terminal apparatus includes: a flexible display including: a main area; and a sub area comprising a curved portion and extending from the main area to a side portion of the user terminal apparatus; a housing configured to enclose the flexible display; a sound output hole provided between the flexible display and the housing and configured to output a sound from a call function; and a sound input hole configured to receive an input sound.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/373,843, filed on Dec. 9, 2016, which is continuation applicationof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/826,317, filed on Aug. 14, 2015, andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,537,527 on Jan. 3, 2017, which claims priorityfrom Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2015-0050718 and 10-2015-0014701,filed on Apr. 10, 2015 and Jan. 30, 2015, respectively, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/097,223 filed on Dec. 29, 2014 in the USPTO the disclosure of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a userterminal apparatus, and more particularly, to a user terminal apparatusincluding a flexible display.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the development of an electronic technology, various types of userterminal apparatuses have been developed and widely used. Recently, theuser terminal apparatus has more diverse functions while a size of theuser terminal apparatus has been minimized, and as a result, a demandfor the user terminal apparatus is getting more increased.

The user terminal apparatus may provide various contents, such asmultimedia content and application screen, in response to a user'srequest. A user may use buttons, a touch screen, and the like which areinstalled in the user terminal apparatus to select functions whichhe/she wants to use. The user terminal apparatus may optionally executeprograms depending on an interaction with the user and display theexecuted results.

Meanwhile, as functions which may be provided from the user terminalapparatus are gradually diverse, various needs for a method fordisplaying contents or a user interaction method have been generated.That is, as a kind and a function of contents are still more diverse,the existing interaction method which simply selects the buttons ortouches the touch screen may be insufficient.

Therefore, a need for a user interaction technology to enable the userto use the user terminal apparatus more conveniently has emerged.

To this end, the user terminal apparatus has adopted a flexible display.The flexible display has a displaying area on the front surface of theuser terminal apparatus and a displaying area on at least one of thesides of the user terminal apparatus.

However, as an upper surface or upper/lower surfaces of the userterminal apparatus are secured as a display area by using the flexibledisplay, there is a need to structurally secure positions of a proximitysensor, a camera hole, an light sensor hole, and the like in addition toa sound output hole (speaker hole) and a sound input hole (microphonehole) which are disposed on the upper surface of the existing userterminal apparatus.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments may overcome the above disadvantages and otherdisadvantages not described above. However, the exemplary embodimentsare not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and theexemplary embodiments may not overcome any of the problems describedabove.

The exemplary embodiments may provide a user terminal apparatus capableof transferring an accurate sound to a user during a call as a userterminal apparatus including a flexible display.

Further, the exemplary embodiments provide a user terminal apparatuscapable of setting positions of various holes in the user terminalapparatus, such as a sound output hole, a sound input hole, a proximitysensor hole, a camera hole, and a light sensor hole, as optimalpositions which do not interfere with a flexible display.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided auser terminal apparatus including: a flexible display configured toinclude a main area and a sub area which extends from the main area tobe curved to at least one side of the user terminal apparatus; a housingconfigured to be adjacent to the flexible display and enclose theflexible display; a sound output hole configured to be positionedbetween at least one side of the flexible display and the housing andoutput a received sound at the time of performing a call function; and asound input hole configured to input a sound.

The sub area may be positioned at an upper part of the user terminalapparatus. The sound output hole may be disposed at a boundary at whichan upper part of a bezel and an upper part of the housing which areadjacent to the sub area contact each other.

The sound output hole may be formed in plural and some of the pluralityof sound output holes may be disposed at a boundary at which a left ofthe bezel and a left of the housing contact each other and the restthereof may be disposed at a boundary at which a right of the bezel anda right of the housing contact each other.

The flexible display may further include an additional sub area which isdisposed at a lower part of the user terminal apparatus. The userterminal apparatus may further include: an additional sound output holeconfigured to be disposed at a boundary at which the lower part of thebezel adjacent to the additional sub area and the lower part of thehousing contact each other.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may bedisposed at a position which corresponds to a virtual vertical centralline of the flexible display.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may bedisposed at a position which does not correspond to a virtual verticalcentral line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may bedisposed to be symmetrical to each other based on a virtual horizontalcentral line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may be formed in plural, some of the plurality ofsound output holes may be disposed at a boundary at which a left of thebezel and a left of the housing contact each other and the rest thereofmay be disposed at a boundary at which a right of the bezel and a rightof the housing contact each other, and the plurality of sound outputholes may be disposed in a mutual diagonal direction based on thevirtual vertical central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may be configured to include first and third soundoutput holes which are disposed at a boundary at which a left of thebezel and a left of the housing contact each other and second and fourthsound output holes which are disposed at a boundary at which a right ofthe bezel and a right of the housing contact each other, the first andsecond sound output holes may be each disposed to an adjacent side tothe upper part of the housing, and the third and fourth sound outputholes may be each disposed to an adjacent side to the lower part of thehousing.

The first sound output hole may be symmetrically disposed to the thirdsound output hole based on a virtual vertical central line of theflexible display and the second sound output hole may be symmetricallydisposed to the fourth sound output hole based on the virtual verticalcentral line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may be formed in plural and all of the pluralityof sound output holes may be disposed at a boundary at which the left ofthe bezel and the left of the housing contact each other or disposed ata boundary at which a right of the bezel and a right of the housingcontact each other.

Some of the plurality of sound output holes may be adjacently disposedto the upper part of the housing and the rest thereof may be adjacentlydisposed to the lower part of the housing.

The user terminal apparatus may further include: a proximity sensor,wherein the proximity sensor is adjacently disposed to the sound outputhole.

The sound output hole may be formed of any one of a long hole, aplurality of circular holes disposed at a predetermined interval, and asingle circular hole.

The sound output hole may be formed of a long hole having a lengthcorresponding to at least any one part of the user terminal apparatus.The user terminal apparatus may further include: a plurality of receivermodules configured to output a sound to the long hole inside the userterminal apparatus, wherein the plurality of receiver modules aredisposed at a predetermined interval within a section corresponding to alength of the long hole and optionally output a sound depending on aposture of the user terminal apparatus.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal apparatus including: a flexible displayconfigured to include a main area disposed on a front surface of theuser terminal apparatus and a sub area disposed on an upper part of theuser terminal apparatus; a bezel configured to enclose the flexibledisplay; a housing configured to enclose the bezel; and a sound outputhole configured to output a sound received at the time of performing acall function, wherein the sound output hole is positioned at any one ofa boundary between the bezel and the housing, the bezel, and thehousing. The flexible display may further include an additional sub areawhich is disposed at a lower part of the user terminal apparatus.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal apparatus including: a flexible displayincluding: a main area; and a sub area comprising a curved portion andextending from the main area to a side portion of the user terminalapparatus; a housing configured to enclose the flexible display; a soundoutput hole provided between the flexible display and the housing andconfigured to output a sound from a call function; and a sound inputhole configured to receive an input sound.

The sub area may be provided at a first end part of the user terminalapparatus.

The sound output hole may be provided at a boundary between a first endpart of a bezel and a first end part of the housing, the first end partof the bezel and the first end part of the housing corresponding to thefirst end part of the user terminal apparatus.

The sound output hole may include a plurality of sound output holes, andwherein at least one of the plurality of sound output holes is disposedat a boundary between a first side part of a bezel and a first side partof the housing and remaining of the plurality of sound output holes aredisposed at a boundary between a second side part opposite to the firstside part of the bezel and a second side part opposite to the first sidepart of the housing.

The flexible display may further include an additional sub area which isprovided at a second end part opposite to the first end part of the userterminal apparatus.

The user terminal apparatus may further include an additional soundoutput hole provided at a boundary between a second end part of a bezeladjacent to the additional sub area and a second end part of thehousing.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may beprovided at a first position and a second position, respectively,intersecting a virtual vertical central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may beprovided at a first position and a second position, respectively, offsetfrom a virtual vertical central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole and the additional sound output hole may beprovided to be symmetrical to each other with respect to a virtualhorizontal central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may include a plurality of sound output holes,wherein at least one of the plurality of sound output holes is providedat a boundary between a first side part of a bezel and a first side partof the housing and at least one of remaining of the plurality of soundoutput holes is disposed at a boundary between a second side partopposite to the first side part of the bezel and a second side partopposite to the first side part of the housing, and wherein the at leastone of plurality of sound output holes and at least one of remaining ofthe plurality of sound output holes are disposed in a diagonal directionwith respect to a virtual vertical central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may include: a first sound output hole and a thirdsound output hole which are provided at a boundary between a first sidepart of a bezel and a first side part of the housing; and a second soundoutput hole and a fourth sound output hole which are provided at aboundary between a second side part opposite to the first side part ofthe bezel and a second side part opposite to the first side part of thehousing, wherein the first and the second sound output holes areprovided at an first end part of the housing corresponding to the firstend part of the user terminal apparatus, and wherein the third and thefourth sound output holes are provided at a second end part opposite tothe first end part of the housing.

The first sound output hole may be symmetrically provided from thesecond sound output hole with respect to a virtual vertical central lineof the flexible display, and the third sound output hole may besymmetrically provided from the fourth sound output hole with respect tothe virtual vertical central line of the flexible display.

The sound output hole may include a plurality of sound output holes, andthe plurality of sound output holes are provided at a boundary between afirst side part of a bezel and a first side part of the housing orprovided at a boundary between a second side part opposite to the firstside part of the bezel and a second side part opposite to the first sidepart of the housing contact each other.

At least one of the plurality of sound output holes may be provided at afirst end part of the housing corresponding to the first end part of theuser terminal apparatus and at least one of remaining of the pluralityof sound output holes are provided at a second end part opposite to thefirst end part of the housing corresponding to the second end part ofthe user terminal apparatus.

The user terminal apparatus may further include a proximity sensor,wherein the proximity sensor is provided adjacent to the sound outputhole.

The sound output hole may include at least one of an elongated hole, aplurality of circular holes disposed at a predetermined interval, and asingle circular hole.

The sound output hole comprises a long hole extending in a directionperpendicular to a thickness direction of the user terminal apparatusand having a length corresponding to a length of a side of the userterminal apparatus.

The user terminal apparatus may further include a plurality of receivermodules provided inside the user terminal apparatus and configured tooutput the sound to the long hole, wherein the plurality of receivermodules are provided at a predetermined interval along the length of thelong hole and selectively output the sound based on a posture of theuser terminal apparatus.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal apparatus including: a flexible displayincluding: a main area provided on a front surface of the user terminalapparatus; and a first sub area extending from the main area andprovided on a first end part of the user terminal apparatus; a bezelconfigured to enclose the flexible display; a housing configured toenclose the bezel; and a sound output hole configured to output a soundreceived from a call function of the user terminal apparatus, whereinthe sound output hole is provided at at least one of a boundary betweenthe bezel and the housing, the bezel, and the housing.

The flexible display may further include a second sub area which isprovided at a second end part opposite to the first end part of the userterminal apparatus.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal apparatus including: a flexible displayincluding: a main area; and a first sub area comprising a curved surfaceand extending from the main area to a first end portion of the userterminal apparatus; a housing configured to enclose the flexibledisplay; and a sound output unit including: a sound output hole providedbetween the flexible display and the housing and configured to output asound from a call function to an exterior of the user terminalapparatus; and a receiver module including: a receiver configured tooutput the sound; and a sound guide configured to guide the sound outputfrom the receiver to the sound output hole, wherein the sound guide mayinclude: a first portion connected to the receiver; and a second portionextending from the first portion and connected to the sound output hole.

The second portion of the sound guide may extend toward an exposedsurface of the flexible display, and the second portion of the secondguide may be inclined with respect to a plane extending in a thicknessdirection of the user terminal apparatus.

The second portion of the second guide may be inclined toward a centerof the flexible display with respect to the plane extending in thethickness direction of the user terminal apparatus.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal apparatus including: a flexible displayincluding: a main area; and a sub area comprising a curved surface andextending from the main area to an end portion of the user terminalapparatus; a housing configured to enclose the flexible display; and asound output unit including: a sound output hole provided between theflexible display and the housing and configured to output a sound from acall function to an exterior of the user terminal apparatus; and areceiver module including: a receiver configured to output the sound; asound guide configured to guide the sound from the receiver to the soundoutput hole; an air temperature controller configured to control airtemperature around the sound output hole.

The air temperature controller may include: a low temperature blockprovide on a first surface of the sound guide; and a high temperatureblock provide on a second surface opposite to the first surface of thesound guide.

The low temperature block may be configured to cool air on a first sideof the sound guide; and the high temperature block may be configured toheat the air on a second side opposite to the first side of the soundguide.

The air temperature controller may further include a heat insulationblock provided on the high temperature block and configured to blockcontact between the high temperature block and the low temperatureblock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the disclosure will be more apparentby describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the user terminal apparatus accordingto an exemplary embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating anexample in which a sound output hole is disposed at an upper part of theuser terminal apparatus;

FIGS. 2B to 2D are diagrams schematically illustrating various formationpositions of the sound output holes which may be implemented accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sound output unit whichis disposed within the user terminal apparatus and a sound output holewhich communicates with a sound guide path of the sound output unittogether;

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example in which acompression drive structure to prevent a distortion of sound output fromthe sound output unit which is disposed within the user terminalapparatus is adopted;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air temperaturecontroller for transferring the sound output from the sound output holein a desired direction;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view illustrating an air temperaturecontroller which is disposed at the upper part of the user terminalapparatus illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut cross-sectional view illustrating a transferdirection of the sound passing through an air temperature controlleraccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are partially enlarged plan views of the user terminalapparatus illustrating various forms of sound output holes;

FIGS. 8E to 8G are diagrams schematically illustrating an example inwhich a receiver module adjacent to a user's ear among a plurality ofreceiver modules is changed depending on various postures at which theuser lifts the user terminal apparatus when the sound output hole asillustrated in FIG. 8D is applied;

FIG. 9A is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure fortransferring external light to a camera module disposed inside the userterminal apparatus through a plurality of mirrors according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure fortransferring the external light to the camera module disposed inside theuser terminal apparatus through a plurality of prisms according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a light sensor disposedinside the user terminal apparatus and an optical waveguide throughwhich the external light is transferred to the light sensor;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating anexample in which a plurality of sound output holes are disposed at aleft upper part and a right upper part of the user terminal apparatus,respectively;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X illustratedin FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating anexample in which a plurality of sound output holes are disposed at anupper part and a lower part of the user terminal apparatus,respectively;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment and is a front view illustrating an example inwhich a plurality of sound output holes are disposed at a lower leftpart and a upper right part of the user terminal apparatus in a mutualdiagonal direction;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment and is a front view illustrating an example inwhich a plurality of sound output holes are symmetrically disposed at aleft part and a right part of the user terminal apparatus, respectively;and

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment and is a front view illustrating an example inwhich a plurality of sound output holes are disposed at upper and lowerparts of a left part of the user terminal apparatus, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Further,to help understanding of the inventive concept, the accompanyingdrawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale but dimensions of somecomponents may be illustrated to be exaggerated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus 10according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustratinga user terminal apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment and isa perspective view illustrating an example in which a sound output hole20 is disposed at an upper part 11 a of the user terminal apparatus 10.FIGS. 2B to 2D are diagrams schematically illustrating various formationpositions of sound output holes 20 a, 20 b and 20 c which may beimplemented according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view illustrating a sound output unit 18 which isdisposed within the user terminal apparatus 10 and a sound output hole20 which communicates with a sound guide path of the sound output unit18 together. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A, the user terminal apparatus 10according to an exemplary embodiment includes a housing 11, a flexibledisplay 13, a speaker module 14, a controller 15, a communication module17, a receiver module 19, a microphone module 21, a proximity sensor 23,a camera module 25, and an light sensor 27.

The housing 11 may be formed in a portable size, and preferably, may beformed in a size capable of communication while being lifted with onehand. A flexible display 13 is disposed on a front surface of thehousing 11. In addition, high-strength glass for protecting the flexibledisplay 13 may be disposed on a front surface of the flexible display13.

The flexible display 13 may be a display which does not generate aninput signal by a touch or may be a display which inputs a predeterminedcommand by various contact forms, such as sliding in a state in which itis touched at least once by a portion (for example, finger) of a user'sbody or contacts a portion of a user's body. The controller 15 mayreceive a signal input through the flexible display 13 to driveapplications stored in the memory 16 or display an image correspondingto the corresponding signal on the flexible display 13.

The flexible display 13 may form a front surface and an upper surface ofthe user terminal apparatus 10. Further, the flexible display 13includes a main area 13 a which is disposed on the front surface of theuser terminal apparatus 10 and a sub area 13 b which extends towards anupper surface of the user terminal apparatus 10 from the main area 13 ato be curved with a predetermined curvature. As shown in FIG. 2A, themain area 13 a is denoted as a section D1 which is formed in a planefrom a lower part 11 b of the housing toward an upper part 11 a of thehousing as a substantially flat surface and the sub area 13 b is denotedas a section D2 which extends from the upper part 11 a to the main area13 a as a curved surface as an exemplary embodiment. However, theexemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. The section D1 and D2 maytake various forms based on design intent.

In the exemplary embodiment, an upper part, a lower part, a left part,and a right part of the flexible display 13 are enclosed with an upperpart 12 a, a lower part 12 b, a left part 12 c, and a right part 12 d ofa bezel and the upper part 12 a, the lower part 12 b, the left part 12c, and the right part 12 d of the bezel are each enclosed with the upperpart 11 a, the lower part 11 b, a left part 11 c, and a right part 11 dof the housing 11 which form the outside of the housing 11.

In the user terminal apparatus 10, the lower part 12 b of the bezelwhich contacts the lower part 11 b of the housing may be provided with aphysical key button B1 and both sides of the physical key button B1 mayeach be provided with soft key buttons B2 as shown in FIG. 2A as anexemplary embodiment. Further, a side of the right part 11 d of thehousing may be provided with a physical key button B3 which turns on/offa screen of the flexible display 13 or turns on/off a power supply ofthe user terminal apparatus 10.

The upper part 12 a of the bezel is formed to have a width narrower thanthe lower part 12 b of the bezel in a length direction (i.e., adirection from the lower part 12 b to the upper part 12 a of the bezel)of the user terminal apparatus 10. As such, the upper part 12 a of thebezel may be formed to be reduced as the foregoing sub area 13 b of theflexible display 13 occupies a portion corresponding to the uppersurface of the user terminal apparatus 10.

The speaker module 14 is disposed inside the housing 11 and outputs asound of multimedia contents like music, moving pictures, game, or thelike through a speaker hole (not illustrated) which is formed on a backcover (not illustrated) opening and closing a back surface of thehousing 11. Meanwhile, when the housing 11 has a closed back surfacewithout including a separate back cover, the speaker module 14 mayoutput the sound of the multimedia contents like music, moving pictures,game, or the like through the speaker hole which is formed on the backsurface (not illustrated) of the housing 11.

Further, the speaker module 14 may also output a call sound through thecontroller 15 during a call, in place of the receiver module 19. Forthis purpose, a user may select a menu which may communicate in aspeaker mode among call menus which are displayed on the flexibledisplay 13 during a call connection to output the call sound, instead ofthe receiver module 19.

The controller 15 is electrically connected to the flexible display 13,the speaker module 14, the communication module 17, the receiver module19, the microphone module 21, the proximity sensor 23, the camera module25, and the light sensor 27, respectively to receive or transmit asignal from or to each component, thereby controlling each component.Further, the controller 15 accesses the memory 16 (internal memory andexternal memory) to store data and drive various kinds of applicationswhich are installed in each memory 16 in advance.

The communication module 17 includes various kinds of communicationcircuits which may perform remote communications (2G, 3G, and 4G) andnear field communications (Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, or the like). Thecommunication module 17 transmits and receives a communication signal toand from the controller 15 and the controller 15 converts the receivedsignal into a sound signal and outputs the sound signal through thereceiver module 19 and converts the sound signal input from themicrophone module 21 into the communication signal and transmits thecommunication signal to various kinds of external wired and wirelesscommunication devices through the communication module 17.

Referring to FIG. 3, the receiver module 19 receives the sound signalfrom the controller 15 to output a sound to the outside of the userterminal apparatus 10 through the sound output hole 20. The receivermodule 19 includes a receiver 19 a and a sound guide 19 b.

The receiver 19 a may use the typical small or subminiature speaker inconsideration of the size of the user terminal apparatus 10 and may beadjacently disposed on an inner surface of the upper part 12 a of thebezel within the housing 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver19 a may use a bone-conduction speaker (not illustrated), instead of thetypical small or subminiature speaker and may also be used as a hybridtype in which the typical small or subminiature speaker and thebone-conduction speaker are combined with each other. When the receiver19 a is used as the bone-conduction speaker, the receiver 19 a may bepositioned on the back surface of the flexible display 13 and the backsurface of the housing 11. When the bone-conduction speaker ispositioned on the back surface of the housing 11, the bone-conductorspeaker may be positioned at approximately a middle portion of the upperpart of the housing 11 or may be positioned at both corners of the upperpart of the housing 11.

The sound guide 19 b has one end portion 19 c (i.e., a first end portionalong the sound guide path) connected to the receiver 19 a to collectthe sound output from the receiver 19 a and the other end portion 19 d(i.e., a second end portion along the sound guide path) connected to thesound output hole 20. The sound output from the receiver 19 a during acall is transferred to a user's ear E through the sound output hole 20.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the sound output hole 20 may be formed at aportion of the upper part 12 a of the bezel. However, the formationposition of the sound output hole 20 is not limited thereto and may bevariously set as illustrated in FIGS. 2B to 2D. Referring to FIG. 2B,the sound output hole 20 a may be disposed between the upper part 11 aof the housing and the upper part 12 a of the bezel. In detail, aportion of the sound output hole 20 a may be disposed at the upper part11 a of the housing and the remaining portion thereof may be disposed atthe bezel 12 a. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, the sound outputhole 20 b may be formed at only a portion of the upper part 11 a of thehousing. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, when the bezel disposedbetween the flexible display 13 and the housing 11 is omitted, apredetermined groove G is formed at a portion of the sub area 13 b ofthe flexible display 13 contacting the upper part 11 a of the housingand a sound output hole 20 c may be disposed in the predetermined grooveG.

As the sub area 13 b of the flexible display 13 is disposed on the uppersurface of the user terminal apparatus 10 according to the exemplaryembodiment, the sound output hole 20 is positioned to be higher than theexisting user terminal apparatus. To solve the problem in that the soundis not properly transferred to the user's ear E due to the dispositionof the sound output hole 20, the other end 19 d (i.e., the second endalong the sound guide path) of the sound guide 19 b is formed to becurved toward the front of the user terminal apparatus 10. A shape ofthe other end 19 d of the sound guide 19 b has direct effect intransferring the sound, which is output to the outside through the soundoutput hole 20 during a call, toward the user's ear E. Further, thesound output hole 20 together with the shape of the other end 19 d ofthe sound guide 19 b may be disposed to head for approximately the frontof the user terminal apparatus 10.

Meanwhile, when the sound output from the receiver 19 a is collected toa space narrower than a tip of a cone part of the receiver 19 a, a soundmay be distorted due to a phase difference between the sound output froma center and an outer side of the receiver 19 a. FIG. 4 is a diagramschematically illustrating an example in which a compression drivestructure to prevent a distortion of sound output from the sound outputunit 118 which is disposed within the user terminal apparatus isadopted.

To prevent the sound from being distorted, as illustrated in FIG. 4, areceiver module 119 may include a compression drive structure 120including a connection part 120 a, a vibration plate 123 and phase plugs125. That is, a receiver 119 a is connected to a sound guide 119 bthrough the connection part 120 a having the vibration plate 123. Thevibration plate 123 is formed to be depressed toward an inner space 120b of the connection part 120 a. A side of the vibration plate 123 towhich the sound guide 119 b is connected is provided with phase plugs125. When the receiver module 119 has the foregoing compression drivestructure, a sound output from the receiver 119 a is transferred to thevibration plate 123 and then collected by the phase plugs 125 withoutbeing distorted, and is output to the sound output hole 20 through theother end 119 d of the sound guide 119 b and then transferred to theuser's ear E.

Meanwhile, the sound output hole 20 may be formed long and may bedisposed to be approximately parallel along a boundary between the upperpart 11 a of the housing and the upper part 12 a of the bezel. FIG. 5 isa diagram schematically illustrating an air temperature controller 1221for transferring the sound output from the sound output hole 1220 in adesired direction. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view illustratingan air temperature controller 1221 which is disposed at the upper partof the user terminal apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is apartially cut cross-sectional view illustrating a transfer direction ofthe sound passing through an air temperature controller 1221 accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the other end portion 219 d (i.e., a secondend portion along the sound guide path shown with an arrow) of the soundguide 219 b is disposed to be inclined to the upper part of the frontsurface of the user terminal apparatus 10, the sound output from thesound output hole 1220 may be transferred toward the user's ear Ethrough the air temperature controller 1221 which may control airtemperature around the sound output hole 1220.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the air temperature controller 1221 isdisposed to enclose the other end 219 d of the sound guide 219 b and mayinclude a low temperature block 1222, a high temperature block 1223, anda heat insulation block 1225. The low temperature block 1222 and thehigh temperature block 1223 are each connected to a cooling side and aheating side of a Peltier device (not illustrated) disposed inside theuser terminal apparatus 10 to cool and heat air around the sound outputhole 1220. Further, the low temperature block 1222 may be connected to apredetermined cooling structure disposed inside the user terminalapparatus 10 or the high temperature block 1223 may also use heat from apredetermined heater disposed inside the user terminal apparatus 10 or aheat generation part inside the user terminal apparatus 10. The heatinsulation block 1225 blocks a contact with the low temperature block1222 while enclosing an outside of the high temperature block 1223.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the air temperature controller 1221 isoperated during a call, the low temperature block 1222 is cooled andwhile the high temperature block 1223 is heated, and thus air within theother end 219 d of the sound guide 219 b is cooled at a lower side andis heated at an upper side. Therefore, the sound passing through theother end 219 d of the sound guide 219 b is transferred downward (arrowA direction). Therefore, the sound may be transferred toward the user'sear E (accurately, user's earhole) side.

In some cases, the positions of the low temperature block 1222 and thehigh temperature block 1223 may also be disposed to be opposite to eachother. In this case, like an arrow B direction illustrated in FIG. 7,the sound output from the sound output hole 1220 may be transferredupward. That is, the sound output travels toward an area where the lowtemperature block 1222 is located and away from an area where the hightemperature block 1223 is located.

Referring back to FIG. 2A, the sound output hole 20 may be disposed at aposition corresponding to a virtual vertical central line V of theflexible display 13 and may also be disposed at a position which isbiased to a left or a right from the vertical central line V.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are partially enlarged plan views of a user terminalapparatus 10 including various forms of sound output holes 20 d, 20 eand 20 f.

The sound output hole 20 may be provided with a mesh type net or grill(not illustrated) to prevent foreign materials from being introduced.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the sound output hole 20 d may becoupled with a cover 30 on which a plurality of holes 31 are formed.Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the sound output hole 20 d may beformed in a plurality of circular holes which are formed on the upperpart 12 a of the bezel of the user terminal apparatus 10 at apredetermined interval. In addition, the sound output hole 20 d formedof the plurality of circular holes may also be disposed at a boundary atwhich the upper part 11 a of the housing and the upper part 12 a of thebezel contact each other. The plurality of sound output holes 20 dillustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B each communicate with the other end 19 dof the sound guide 19 b as shown in FIG. 3. Further, referring to FIG.8C, a sound output hole 20 e may also be formed in a very small holeshape as a single dot shape.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, a sound output hole 20 f may also beformed in a long hole shape along the upper part 12 a of the bezel tohave a length approximately corresponding to a length of a side of anupper part of the user terminal apparatus 10. Further, although notillustrated in the drawings, the sound output hole 20 f may also beformed on the back surface of the user terminal apparatus 10.

FIGS. 8E to 8G are diagrams schematically illustrating an example inwhich a receiver module 19 adjacent to a user's ear E among a pluralityof receiver modules 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5 is changeddepending on various postures at which the user lifts the user terminalapparatus 10 when the sound output hole as illustrated in FIG. 8D isapplied.

In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver module 19 may include aplurality of receiver modules 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5 and eachof the receiver modules 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5 may be arrangedat a predetermined interval in consideration of the length of the soundoutput hole 20 f as shown in FIG. 8D. The controller 15 may turn on allof the plurality of receiver modules 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5during a call to output a call sound through the sound output hole 20 fand may optionally turn on at least one of the plurality of receivermodules 19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5 depending on a user posture atwhich the user lifts the user terminal apparatus 10 and use the turnedon receiver module. Describing in detail, the controller 15 may use themotion sensor (acceleration, gyro, earth magnetic field, etc.), theproximity sensor 23, the light sensor 27, and the like to determine theposture of the user terminal apparatus 10 (see FIGS. 8E to 8G) during acall. Therefore, when the user posture at which the user lifts the userterminal apparatus 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8E is sensed, thecontroller 15 may turn on only the first receiver module 19-1 or thefirst and second receiver modules 19-1 and 19-2 which are adjacentlydisposed to the user's ear E to output a call sound. Further, when theposture as illustrated in FIG. 8F is sensed, the controller 15 may turnon only the third receiver module 19-3 or the second to fourth receivermodules 19-2, 19-3 and 19-4 which are adjacently disposed to the user'sear E to output a call sound. Further, when the posture as illustratedin FIG. 8G is sensed, the controller 15 may turn on only the fifthreceiver module 19-5 or the fourth and fifth receiver modules 19-4 and19-5 which are adjacently disposed to the user's ear E to output a callsound.

The proximity sensor 23 senses when the user's face approaches theflexible display 13 during a call and transmits a proximity signal tothe controller 15. The controller 15 may stop the touch function of theflexible display 13 in response to the receiving of the proximity signaland cut off a power supply of a liquid crystal display to perform apower saving function. The proximity sensor 23 may use any one of a highfrequency oscillation type, a capacitive type, a magnetic type, aphotoelectric type, and an ultrasonic type depending on a detectionprinciple.

The proximity sensor 23 may be adjacently dispose to the sound outputhole 20 to detect the user's face during a call. For this purpose,according to the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, theproximity sensor 23 may be disposed to correspond to a proximity sensorhole 23 a which is disposed on the upper part of the right part 12 d ofthe bezel of the user terminal apparatus 10. However, the proximitysensor 23 is not limited to such position, and therefore if theproximity sensor 23 is disposed at a position at which the user's facemay be sensed when the user moves the user terminal apparatus 10 tohis/her face during a call, the proximity sensor 23 may also be disposedat a proper position of any one of the upper part 12 a of bezel, thelower part 12 b of the bezel, and the left 12 c part of the bezel of theuser terminal apparatus 10.

FIG. 9A is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure fortransferring external light to a camera module 25 disposed inside theuser terminal apparatus 10 through a plurality of mirrors 41 and 42 andFIG. 9B is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure fortransferring the external light to the camera module 25 disposed insidethe user terminal apparatus through a plurality of prisms 41 a and 42 a.The camera module 25 may include a lens, a lens holder, and an imagesensor (a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementarymetal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor).

Due to the left part 12 c of the bezel formed at a narrow width of theuser terminal apparatus 10, the camera module 25 is not disposed just ata back of the camera hole 25 a (see FIG. 2A) but is adjacently disposedto the left 12 c of the bezel, in which an optical axis of the lens isdisposed to be biased with respect to the camera hole 25 a. In thiscase, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, a path of a light incident into theuser terminal apparatus 10 through the camera hole 25 a is changed by alight path change unit 40 so that a first light path L1 is formed towardthe optical axis of the camera module 25.

The light path change unit 40 includes a first mirror 41, a secondmirror 42, and a path type support part 43 supporting each of themirrors 41 and 42. The camera hole 25 a is provided with an additionalglass 45 to prevent foreign materials from being introduced. In thiscase, the first mirror 41 reflects light incident into the user terminalapparatus 10 through the camera hole 25 a to the second mirror 42. Thesecond mirror 42 reflects light, which is reflected from the firstmirror 41, to the camera module 25.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, in an exemplary embodiment, alight path change unit 40 a may include first and second prisms 41 a and42 a, instead of a pair of mirrors 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 9A. As such,the first and second prisms 41 a and 41 b are each disposed at positionscorresponding to the foregoing first and second mirrors 41 and 42 totransfer the light incident into the user terminal apparatus 10 throughthe camera hole 25 a to the camera module 25 along a second light pathL2.

As described above, when the left part 12 c of the bezel of the userterminal apparatus 10 is formed to be narrow, external light may beaccurately transferred to the camera unit 25 which is disposed insidethe user terminal apparatus 10 through the foregoing light path changeunits 40 and 40 a.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the camera hole 25 a is formed atthe left part 12 c of the bezel of the user terminal apparatus 10 butthe exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and therefore thecamera hole 25 a may be formed, for example, at the right part 12 d ofthe bezel of the user terminal apparatus 10. Further, the user terminalapparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention may further include a lamp L serving as a flash which helps totake photograph even at a dark place at the time of photographing by acamera.

The light sensor 27 detects brightness (light quantity) around the userterminal apparatus 10 to transmit a light quantity detection signal tothe controller 15. The controller 15 may respond to the light quantitydetection signal to control the brightness of the flexible display 13and may automatically control sensitivity (international organizationfor standardization (ISO)) which is a physical numerical valuerepresenting a response degree of the camera sensor to light at the timeof the photograph shooting using the camera module 25.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a light sensor 27disposed inside the user terminal apparatus 10 and an optical waveguide28 through which the external light is transferred to the light sensor27. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the light sensor 27 is installed insidethe housing 11 and receives the external light of the user terminalapparatus 10 through the optical waveguide 28. In the exemplaryembodiment, the optical waveguide 28 may be formed of an optical fiberand an end of the optical waveguide 28 is connected to the light sensorhole 27 a formed at the right 12 d of the bezel of the user terminalapparatus 10 and the other end of the optical waveguide 28 is connectedto the light sensor 27.

As such, the light sensor 27 is connected to the optical waveguide 28 inconsideration of the right part 12 d of the bezel having the narrowwidth of the user terminal apparatus 10 and therefore the position ofthe light sensor 27 may be freely set, for example, at an inner side ofthe light sensor hole 27 a in the user terminal apparatus 10.

Further, the user terminal apparatus 10 may include various kinds ofsensors S (see FIG. 1) to implement various functions as describedbelow, in addition to the foregoing components. That is, the userterminal apparatus 10 may include a gyroscope sensor which recognizes atotal of six axes rotation, respectively to help recognize a moreprecise operation, a geo-magnetic sensor which is an electronic compasscapable of detecting an azimuth using a geo-magnetic field and is usedfor a navigation, position tracking, a three-dimensional stereoscopicgame, a compass, and the like, an accelerometer which senses thedirection and motion of the user terminal apparatus 10 and is used invarious applications, and a gravity sensor (G-sensor) for performing asurrounding noise removing function automatic operation when the userterminal apparatus 10 is shaken during a call or a switching function ofvertical/horizontal viewing depending on a slope of a screen. Further,the lower part 11 b of the user terminal apparatus 10 may be providedwith a charging port 29 (see FIG. 1) for supplying power to a batterywhich is disposed inside the user terminal apparatus 10.

In the user terminal apparatus 10 according to the exemplary embodimentconfigured as described above, when the upper surface of the userterminal apparatus 10 is provided with the sub area 13 b of the flexibledisplay 13, the sound output hole 20 may be disposed at the upper part11 a of the user terminal apparatus 10. In this case, the sound outputfrom the sound output hole 20 is controlled to have directivity and thusthe user may easily receive the sound.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus 10 accordingto an exemplary embodiment and is a perspective view illustrating anexample in which a plurality of sound output holes 121 and 122 aredisposed at a left upper part and a right upper part of the userterminal apparatus 10 a, respectively. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along the line X-X illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a user terminal apparatus 10 a according toan exemplary embodiment. The user terminal apparatus 10 a according tothe exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the user terminalapparatus 10 according to the foregoing exemplary embodiment, but thenumber and positions of sound output holes 121 and 122 and receivermodules 190 and 195 are different from the previous exemplaryembodiment.

Therefore, the same components of the user terminal apparatus 10 aaccording to the exemplary embodiment as the user terminal apparatus 10according to the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by the samereference numeral as the user terminal apparatus 10 and therefore thedetailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the user terminal apparatus 10 a accordingto the exemplary embodiment includes the first and second sound outputholes 121 and 122. The first sound output hole 121 is formed at the leftpart 12 c of the bezel but may be adjacently disposed to the left of theflexible display 13 and the second sound output hole 122 is formed atthe right part 12 d of the bezel but may be adjacently disposed to theright of the flexible display 13.

In the exemplary embodiment, the position of the first and second soundoutput holes 121 and 122 is not limited to the described position, andtherefore the first sound output hole 121 may also be formed at theboundary between the left part 11 c of the housing and the left part 12c of the bezel and the second sound output hole 122 may also be formedat the boundary between the right part 11 d of the housing and the rightpart 12 d of the bezel. Further, the first sound output hole 121 mayalso be formed only at a portion of the left part 11 c of the housingand the second sound output hole 122 may also be formed only at aportion of the right part 11 d of the housing.

As described above, the first and second sound output holes 121 and 122may be disposed to transfer the call sound toward the user's ear E.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second sound output holes 121and 122 may be disposed to be symmetrical to each other based on thevirtual vertical central line V of the flexible display 13.

Further, the first and second sound output holes 121 and 122 may beadjacently disposed to the upper part 11 a of the user terminalapparatus 10 a. The first and second sound output holes 121 and 122 arepositioned at both sides of the user's ear E during a call inconsideration of the sound balance.

FIG. 11 does not illustrate the proximity sensor hole 23 a, the camerahole 25 a, and the light sensor 27 a.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first and second receiver modules 190 and 195each are adjacently disposed to the first and second sound output holes121 and 122 inside the user terminal apparatus 10 a.

The first receiver module 190 is adjacently disposed to the back surfaceof the left part 12 c of the bezel and includes the receiver 191 and thesound guide 193. In the exemplary embodiment, one end portion (i.e., afirst end portion) 193 a of the sound guide 193 encloses the receiver191 and the other end portion (i.e., a second end portion) 193 b of thesound guide 193 is connected to the first sound output hole 121.

The other end portion (i.e., the second end portion) 193 b of the soundguide 193 extends toward the front surface of the user terminalapparatus 10 a but is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angletoward the center of the user terminal apparatus 10 a. Therefore, thesound output from the other end 193 b of the sound guide 193 may betransferred toward the user's ear E during a call.

The second receiver module 195 is adjacently disposed to the backsurface of the right part 12 d of the bezel and includes the receiver197 and the sound guide 199, like the first receiver module 190. In theexemplary embodiment, one end portion (i.e., a first end portion) 199 aof the sound guide 199 encloses the receiver 197 and the other endportion (i.e., a second end portion) 199 b of the sound guide 199 isconnected to the second sound output hole 122.

The other end portion (i.e., the second end portion) 199 b of the soundguide 199 extends toward the front surface of the user terminalapparatus 10 a but is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angletoward the center of the user terminal apparatus 10 a, like the firstreceiver module 190. Therefore, the sound output from the other end 199b of the sound guide 199 may be transferred toward the user's ear Eduring a call.

The first and second receiver modules 190 and 195 may be used for a calland may output the sound of the multimedia contents such as music,moving pictures, and game, instead of the speaker module 14. As such,when the first and second receiver modules 190 and 195 is not used for acall, the controller 15 may output the sound of the multimedia contentsthrough the first and second receiver modules 190 and 195 using an audiogain control.

Further, the receiver modules included in the user terminal apparatuses200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c according to various exemplary embodimentsas described below may also be used for a call and may output the soundof the multimedia contents such as music, moving pictures, and game,instead of the speaker module 14.

Meanwhile, in the case of the user terminal apparatuses 10 and 10 aaccording to the foregoing exemplary embodiments, the lower part 12 b ofthe bezel has an area wider than that of the upper part 12 a of thebezel. Therefore, the camera hole 25 a and the light sensor hole 27 amay be positioned at the lower part 12 b of the bezel. In the exemplaryembodiment, the camera module 25 and the light sensor 27 may also bedisposed at an adjacent position to the lower part 12 b of the bezelwithin the user terminal apparatuses 10 and 10 a.

Hereinafter, the user terminal apparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 caccording to various exemplary embodiments will be sequentiallydescribed with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. FIG. 13 is a diagramillustrating a user terminal apparatus 200 according to an exemplaryembodiment and is a perspective view illustrating an example in which aplurality of sound output holes 221 and 222 are disposed at an upperpart and a lower part of the user terminal apparatus 200, respectively.FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus 200 aaccording to an exemplary embodiment and is a front view illustrating anexample in which a plurality of sound output holes 221 a and 222 a aredisposed at a lower left part and a upper right part of the userterminal apparatus 200 a in a mutual diagonal direction. FIG. 15 is adiagram illustrating a user terminal apparatus 200 b according to anexemplary embodiment and is a front view illustrating an example inwhich a plurality of sound output holes 221 b, 221 c, 222 b and 222 care symmetrically disposed at a left part and a right part of the userterminal apparatus 200 b, respectively. FIG. 16 is a diagramillustrating a user terminal apparatus 200 c according to an exemplaryembodiment and is a front view illustrating an example in which aplurality of sound output holes 221 d and 222 d are disposed at upperand lower parts of a left part of the user terminal apparatus 200 c,respectively.

Unlike the previous exemplary embodiments as described with respect toFIG. 1, the user terminal apparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 caccording to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-16 are examplesin which each of the upper and lower parts of the user terminalapparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c has a curved portion (first andsecond sub areas 213 b and 213 c, respectively).

Referring to FIG. 13, the user terminal apparatus 200 according to anexemplary embodiment includes a housing 211 in which various componentsin addition to the controller illustrated in FIG. 1 are embedded and aflexible display 213 which displays a predetermined image and receives auser command. In the exemplary embodiment, the flexible display 213includes a main area 213 a which is disposed on the front surface of theuser terminal apparatus 200, the first sub area 213 b which extendstowards the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 from the main area 213 ato be curved with a predetermined curvature, and the second sub area 213c which extends toward the lower part 211 b of the housing 211 from themain area 213 a to be curved with a predetermined curvature. The mainarea 213 a is denoted as a section D1 which is formed in a plane from alower part 211 b to an upper part 211 a of the user terminal apparatus200 and the first and second sub areas 213 b and 213 c are denoted assections D2 and D3 each of which vertically extend to respective ends ofthe main area 213 a from the lower part 211 b and the upper part 211 aof the user terminal apparatus 200 to be formed in a curved surface.

The first sound output hole 221 may be formed at the boundary at whichthe upper part 211 a of the housing 211 and the upper part 212 a of thebezel 212 contact each other and the second sound output hole 222 may beformed at the boundary at which the lower part 211 b of the housing 211and the lower part 212 b of the bezel 212 contact each other.

In the exemplary embodiment, the respective position of the first andsecond sound output holes 221 and 222 is not limited to the foregoingposition and the first sound output hole 221 may be formed only at aportion of the upper part 211 a of the housing or only at a portion ofthe upper part 212 a of the bezel 212 and the second sound output hole222 may be formed only at a portion of the lower part 211 b of thehousing or only at a portion of the lower part 212 b of the bezel 212.

In addition, the first sound input hole 228 a forming a pair with thefirst sound output hole 221 may be formed at the lower part 212 b of thebezel 212 and the second sound input hole 228 b forming a pair with thesecond sound output hole 222 may be formed at the upper part 212 a ofthe bezel 212.

As such, when the first and second sub areas are each disposed on theupper/lower surfaces of the user terminal apparatus 200, the first soundoutput hole 221 may be formed at the upper part 212 a of the bezel 212and the second sound output hole 222 may be formed at the lower part 212b of the bezel 212.

As the upper and lower parts of the user terminal apparatus 200 are eachprovided with the first and second sound output holes 221 and 222 andthe first and second sound input holes 228 a and 228 b, the user mayconveniently speak without dividing the upper and lower parts of theuser terminal apparatus 200. That is, the user is not required to rotatethe phone to place user's ear on one end of the user terminal apparatus200.

The first and second sound output holes 221 and 222 may be disposed at aposition to intersect the virtual vertical central line V of theflexible display 13 as shown in FIG. 13.

However, the respective locations of the first and second sound outputholes 221 and 222 are not limited thereto and may be disposed at aposition which is offset by a predetermined distance from the virtualvertical central line V. That is, both of the first and second soundoutput holes 221 and 222 may be disposed to be offset towards the leftpart 211 c of the housing 211 with respect to the virtual verticalcentral line V or disposed to be offset towards the right part 211 d ofthe housing 211. Further, the first and second sound output holes 221and 222 may also be disposed to be offset by a predetermined distance inthe opposite direction to each other with respect to the virtualvertical central line V.

As such, when the first and second sound output holes 221 and 222 arevariously disposed, the camera hole 225 a and the light sensor hole 227a may be disposed at a proper position within the user terminalapparatus 200 in consideration of the position of the first and secondsound output holes 221 and 222.

The first sound input hole 228 a may be adjacently disposed to thesecond sound output hole 222 and the second sound input hole 228 b maybe adjacently disposed to the first sound output hole 221 in theexemplary embodiment. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limitedthereto and the first sound input hole 228 a and the second sound inputhole 228 b may be provided according to the design intent.

The first proximity sensor hole 223 a is formed at the right part 212 dof the bezel 212 and the second proximity sensor hole 223 b is formed atthe left part 212 c of the bezel 212. The first and second proximitysensor (not illustrated) which correspond to the first and secondproximity sensor holes 223 a and 223 b, respectively, are providedinside the user terminal apparatus 200.

According to the user terminal apparatus 200 according to the exemplaryembodiment configured as described above and shown in FIG. 13, when thefirst receiver (not illustrated) corresponding to the first sound outputhole 221 and the first microphone module (not illustrated) correspondingto the first sound input hole 228 a are used during a call, the secondmicrophone module (not illustrated) corresponding to the second soundinput hole 228 b may be controlled to perform a noise canceling functionby the controller 15 and the second receiver (not illustrated) whichoutputs a sound to the second sound output hole 222 may be turned off bythe controller 15. Similarly, when the second receiver corresponding tothe second sound output hole 222 and the second microphone modulecorresponding to the second sound input hole 228 b are used during acall, the first microphone module may be controlled to perform the noisecancelling function by the controller 15 and the first receiver may beturned off by the controller 15.

The controller 15 may determine the posture of the user terminalapparatus 200 lifted by the user during a call based on the detectionsignals of the first and second proximity sensors (not illustrated).Further, the detection may also be made using various sensors S (seeFIG. 1).

In FIG. 13, reference numeral B3 represents a physical key button whichturns on/off the flexible display 213 or which turns on/off a powersupply and reference numeral 229 represents a charging terminal.

Referring to FIG. 14, most of the components of the user terminalapparatus 200 a according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14 are thesame as those of the user terminal apparatus 200 according to theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, but the positions of the soundoutput holes 221 a and 222 a are differently placed in FIG. 14.Therefore, the user terminal apparatus 200 a according to the exemplaryembodiment will be described based on the positions of the first andsecond sound output holes 221 a and 222 a.

In the user terminal apparatus 200 a according to the exemplaryembodiment, the first sound output hole 221 a is formed at the rightpart 212 d of the bezel 212 and the second sound output hole 222 a isformed at the left part 212 c of the bezel 212. In the exemplaryembodiment, the first sound output hole 221 a may be adjacently disposedat the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 and the second sound outputhole 222 a may be adjacently disposed at the lower part 211 b of thehousing 211.

Meanwhile, the position of the first and second sound output holes 221 aand 222 a is not limited to the foregoing position, and therefore thefirst sound output hole 221 a may also be formed at the boundary atwhich the right part 211 d of the housing 211 and the right part 212 dof the bezel 212 contact each other and the second sound output hole 222a may also be formed at the boundary at which the left part 211 c of thehousing 211 and the left part 212 c of the bezel 212 contact each other.Further, the first sound output hole 221 a may also be formed only at aportion of the right part 211 d of the housing 211 and the second soundoutput hole 222 a may also be formed only at a portion of the left part211 c of the housing 211.

The first and second sound output holes 221 a and 222 a may be disposedin approximately a diagonal direction with respect to the virtualvertical central line V of the flexible display 213. In the exemplaryembodiment, the first proximity sensor hole 223 a may be adjacentlydisposed to the first sound output hole 221 a and the second proximitysensor hole 223 b may be adjacently disposed to the second sound outputhole 222 a.

In addition, the first sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the first sound output hole 221 a may be disposed at apredetermined position P21 of the lower part 211 b of the housing 211 oreach of the predetermined positions P22 and P23 of the left part 211 cand the right part 211 d of the housing 211. The predetermined positionP21 may be adjacently disposed at the right part 211 d of the housing211 and the predetermined positions P22 and P23 each may be adjacentlydisposed at the lower part 211 b of the housing 211.

Further, the second sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the second sound output hole 222 a may be disposed at apredetermined position P24 of the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 oreach of the predetermined positions P25 and P26 of the left part 211 cand the right part 211 d of the housing 211. The predetermined positionP24 may be adjacently disposed to the left part 211 c of the housing 211and the predetermined positions P25 and P26 each may be adjacentlydisposed to the upper part 211 a of the housing 211.

Referring to FIG. 15, most of the components of the user terminalapparatus 200 b according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 are thesame as those of the user terminal apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 13,but the positions of first, second, third, and fourth sound output holes221 b, 221 c, 222 b and 222 c are disposed differently. Therefore, theuser terminal apparatus 200 b according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 15 will be described based on the positions of the first, second,third and fourth sound output holes 221 b, 221 c, 222 b, and 222 c.

In the user terminal apparatus 200 b according to the exemplaryembodiment, the first and second sound output holes 221 b and 221 c forma pair and the third and fourth sound output holes 222 b and 222 c formanother pair. Therefore, the first and second receivers (notillustrated) corresponding to the first and second sound output holes221 b and 221 c are operated together and the third and fourth receivers(not illustrated) corresponding to the third and fourth sound outputholes 222 b and 222 c are operated together.

The first sound output hole 221 b is formed at the left part 212 c ofthe bezel 212 and the second sound output hole 221 c is formed at theright part 212 d of the bezel 212. The third sound output hole 222 b isformed at the left part 212 c of the bezel 212 and the fourth soundoutput hole 222 c is formed at the right part 212 d of the bezel 212. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the first and second sound output holes 221 band 221 c may be disposed at the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 andthe third and fourth sound output holes 222 b and 222 c may be disposedat the lower part 211 b of the housing 211.

In addition, the position of the first, second, third and fourth soundoutput holes 221 b, 221 c, 222 b, and 222 c is not limited to theforegoing position, and therefore the first and third sound output holes221 b and 222 b may also be formed at the boundary at which the leftpart 211 c of the housing 211 and the left part 212 c of the bezel 212contact each other and the second and fourth sound output holes 221 cand 222 c may also be formed at the boundary at which the right part 211d of the housing 211 and the right part 212 d of the bezel 212 contacteach other. Further, the first and third sound output holes 221 b and222 b may also be formed only at a portion of the left part 211 c of thehousing 211 and the second and fourth sound output holes 221 c and 222 cmay also be formed only at a portion of the right part 211 d of thehousing 211.

Further, the first and second sound output holes 221 b and 221 c may bedisposed to be symmetrical to each other based on the virtual verticalcentral line V of the flexible display 213 and the third and fourthsound output holes 222 b and 222 c may also be disposed to besymmetrical to each other based on the virtual vertical central line V.Further, the first and third sound output holes 221 b and 222 b may bedisposed to be symmetrical to each other based on a virtual horizontalcentral line H of the flexible display 213 and the second and fourthsound output holes 221 c and 222 c may also be disposed to besymmetrical to each other based on the virtual horizontal central lineH.

As the first, second, third and fourth sound output holes 221 b, 221 c,222 b, and 222 c are disposed to be symmetrical to each other based onthe vertical and horizontal central lines V and H, the sounds outputfrom each of the first, second, third and fourth sound output holes 221b, 221 c, 222 b, and 222 c may be transferred to the user's ear E whilekeeping a balance during a call.

In the exemplary embodiment, the first and second proximity sensor holes223 a and 223 b each may be adjacently disposed to the first and secondsound output holes 221 b and 221 c, respectively and the third andfourth proximity sensor holes 223 c and 223 b each may be adjacentlydisposed to the third and fourth sound output holes 222 b and 222 c,respectively.

In addition, the first sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the first and second sound output holes 221 b and 221 c may bedisposed at a predetermined position P31 of the lower part 211 b of thehousing 211 or each of the predetermined positions P32 and P33 of theleft part 211 c and the right part 211 d of the housing 211. Thepredetermined position P31 may be a position intersecting the virtualvertical central line V, that is, a position corresponding to the centerof the lower part 211 b of the housing 211. Further, when the firstsound input hole is disposed at the left part 211 c and the right part211 d of the housing 211, the first sound input hole may be adjacentlydisposed to the lower part 211 b of the housing 211.

Further, the second sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the third and fourth sound output holes 222 b and 222 c may bedisposed at a predetermined position P34 of the upper part 211 a of thehousing 211 or each of the predetermined positions P35 and P36 of theleft part 211 c and the right part 211 d of the housing 211. Thepredetermined position P34 may be a position intersecting the virtualvertical central line V, that is, a position corresponding to the centerof the upper part 211 a of the housing. Further, when the second soundinput hole is disposed at the left part 211 c and the right part 211 dof the housing 211, the second sound input hole may be adjacentlydisposed to the upper part 211 a of the housing 211.

Referring to FIG. 16, most of the components of a user terminalapparatus 200 c according to the exemplary embodiment of the figure arethe same as those of the user terminal apparatus 200 according to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, but the positions of first and secondsound output holes 221 d and 222 d are differently disposed. Therefore,the user terminal apparatus 200 c according to the exemplary embodimentwill be described based on the positions of the first and second soundoutput holes 221 d and 222 d.

In the user terminal apparatus 200 c according to the exemplaryembodiment, both of the first and second sound output holes 221 d and222 d are formed at the left part 212 c of the bezel 212. In theexemplary embodiment, the first sound output hole 221 d may beadjacently disposed at the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 and thesecond sound output hole 222 d may be adjacently disposed at the lowerpart 211 b of the housing 211.

However, the positions of the first and second sound output holes 221 dand 222 d are not limited to the foregoing positions and both thereofmay also be, for example, formed at the right part 212 d of the bezel212. Further, both of the first and second sound output holes 221 d and222 d may be formed at the boundary at which the left part 211 c of thehousing 211 and the left part 212 c of the bezel 212 contact each otheror may also be formed at the boundary at which the right part 211 d ofthe housing 211 and the right part 212 d of the bezel 212 contact eachother. Further, the first and second sound output holes 221 and 222 dmay also be formed only at a portion of the left part 211 c of thehousing 211 or a portion of the right part 211 d of the housing 211.

The first proximity sensor hole 223 a may be adjacently disposed to thefirst sound output hole 221 d and the second proximity sensor hole 223 bmay be adjacently disposed to the second sound output hole 222 d.

Meanwhile, the first sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the first sound output hole 221 d may be disposed at apredetermined position P42 of the lower part 211 b of the housing 211 oreach of the predetermined positions P44 and P46 of the left part 211 cand the right part 211 d of the housing 211. The predetermined positionP42 may be adjacently disposed to the right part 211 d of the housing211 and the predetermined positions P44 and P46 each may be adjacentlydisposed to the lower part 211 b of the housing 211.

Further, the second sound input hole (not illustrated) forming a pairwith the second sound output hole 222 d may be disposed at apredetermined position P41 of the upper part 211 a of the housing 211 oreach of the predetermined positions P43 and P45 of the left part 211 cand the right 211 d of the housing 211. The predetermined position P41may be adjacently disposed to the right part 211 d of the housing 211and the predetermined positions P43 and P45 each may be adjacentlydisposed to the upper part 211 a of the housing 211. In the userterminal apparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c according to theforegoing exemplary embodiments, a plurality of soft keys (notillustrated) may be disposed in any one of the first and second subareas 213 b and 213 c of the flexible display 213.

As described above, the user terminal apparatuses 10 and 10 a accordingto the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 11 relate to an example inwhich the positions of the sound output hole, the sound input hole, andthe proximity sensors when the upper surfaces of the user terminalapparatuses 10 and 10 a are formed by the flexible display 13, arelimited and the user terminal apparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 caccording to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 13-16 relate to anexample in which the positions of the sound output hole, the sound inputhole, and the proximity sensors when the upper and lower surfaces of theuser terminal apparatuses 200, 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c aresimultaneously formed by the flexible display 213 are limited.

In the user terminal apparatus including the flexible display accordingto the exemplary embodiment, the positions of the sound output hole, thesound input hole, and the proximity sensors may be differently arranged.

Further, the virtual vertical central line V and the virtual horizontalcentral line H of the foregoing flexible displays 13 and 213 may besubstituted into the virtual vertical central line (not illustrated) andthe virtual horizontal central line (not illustrated) of the userterminal apparatus 10.

While exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and describedhereinabove, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made therein without departing from the scope andspirit of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a display; abezel surrounding the display; a speaker disposed adjacent to a upperportion of the bezel and output a sound related to a call function; anda sound guide configured to connect to the speaker and to forward thesound to a user's ear while the call function is executed.
 2. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sound guideextends toward the user's ear from the speaker.
 3. The electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sound guide comprises: afirst portion connected to the speaker to collect the sound from thespeaker; and a second portion extending from the first portion towardthe user's ear.
 4. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 3,wherein the second portion is curved toward the user's ear.
 5. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second portionis curved toward a front of the electronic apparatus.
 6. The electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first portion is acone-shaped.
 7. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising: an air temperature controller enclosing the second portion.8. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the displaycomprises a first area and a second area including a curved portionextended from the first area, and wherein the bezel comprises a firstbezel area corresponding to the first area of the display and a secondbezel area corresponding to the second area of the display.
 9. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second area isprovided at a first end part of the electronic apparatus.
 10. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electronicapparatus further comprises a sound output hole disposed in the secondbezel area corresponding the second area of the display, and wherein thesound output hole is provided at a boundary between a first end part ofthe bezel and a first end part of a housing surrounding the bezel, thefirst end part of the bezel and the first end part of the housingcorresponding to the first end part of the electronic apparatus.
 11. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the display furthercomprises an additional second area which is provided at a second endpart opposite to the first end part of the electronic apparatus.
 12. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising anadditional sound output hole provided at a boundary between a second endpart of the bezel adjacent to the additional second area and a secondend part of the housing surrounding the bezel.
 13. The electronicapparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sound output hole and theadditional sound output hole are provided at a first position and asecond position, respectively, intersecting a virtual vertical centralline of the display.
 14. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim12, wherein the sound output hole and the additional sound output holeare provided at a first position and a second position, respectively,the first position and the second position being offset from a virtualvertical central line of the display.
 15. The electronic apparatus asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the sound output hole and the additionalsound output hole are provided to be symmetrical to each other withrespect to a virtual horizontal central line of the display.
 16. Theelectronic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further comprising aproximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor is provided adjacent tothe sound output hole.
 17. The electronic apparatus as claimed in claim10, wherein the sound guide comprises: a first portion connected to thespeaker to collect the sound from the speaker; and a second portionextending from the first portion toward the user's ear, and wherein thesecond portion is connected to the sound output hole.